The operators of Charlotte-based Carolinas HealthCare System will pay Cleveland County more than $100 million for Cleveland County HealthCare System buildings, including both Cleveland County’s hospitals.

The announcement came Thursday, when county commissioners approved the agreement.

The county currently owns the health care locations. Carolinas HealthCare leases Cleveland’s two hospitals for $1.45 million annually.

"Cleveland County has already benefited from the technology and best practices of Carolinas HealthCare System," said Brian Gwyn, president and chief executive officer of Cleveland County HealthCare System. "This is a final movement to move the future of health care forward in this county. And when areas are looking to bring in new industry, health care brings in phenomenal growth."

The county’s health department building and the land on which it sits are also included in the agreement, but the county will continue to operate those.

How does Cleveland County get paid?

When the deal is final, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority will pay Cleveland County $23 million and provide a promissory note for
$77 million.

The larger sum will be paid in $3 million installments over the next 26 years, according to the agreement.

The $23 million will help pay for a new health department and other buildings, with any remaining dollars going into the county’s savings account, said County Manager Eddie Bailes.

The hospital authority will make a final $2.27 million payment to the county by July 1, 2038.

When is the deal
expected to close?

As early as Monday afternoon, according to Bill Yelton, Cleveland County attorney.

Will this mean new
jobs in the area?

"Potentially, as we grow our services here, we will bring in new positions," Gwyn said.

How long has the new partnership agreement been in the works?

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg

HealthCare Authority and Cleveland County have been in negotiations for about six months, Guerin said.

What happens if the hospital authority or Carolinas HealthCare System changes?

If they vacate the Cleveland County health care properties included in the agreement, Cleveland County can acquire the property or acquire 50 percent of the proceeds of the sale of the property from a third party buyer, according to the agreement.